Page 46 of Beautiful Agony

My world shrinks to these marble halls and gilded rooms.

"I can't leave, can I?" My voice comes out small, defeated.

Vadim's arms tighten around me. "Not until we end this. Not until she's dead."

I lean back against his chest, letting his steady heartbeat ground me. Through the window, I watch guards patrolling the grounds, their weapons visible even from here. More will come, I know. Vadim won't take any chances with our safety.

"I should've known she wouldn't just let us go," I whisper. "That night in Paris, when she looked at me in the cathedral... I saw it in her eyes. This was always her plan."

Vadim's hand covers mine where it rests on my stomach. "We'll find her," he promises. "She won't hide forever."

But I hear what he doesn't say—that until then, I'm trapped here. That our child's first months of life will be spent behind these walls and armed guards. That the freedom I thought I'd chosen has become another cage.

Only this time, the bars aren't just to keep me in.

They're to keep Sayanaa out.

But then, another question surfaces in my mind, and I ask before I can stop myself. "How..." My voice cracks. "How does she know I'm pregnant?"

Vadim's silence tells me he's wondering the same thing. I watch his face as the realization hits him, his jaw tightening.

"Dr. Chen," I whisper. "Either Sayanaa or her spies must have seen her coming here."

My stomach lurches again, but this time not from morning sickness. If Sayanaa's watching Pankration closely enough to spot Dr. Chen's visits...

"Megan." The name comes out as a strangled gasp. "Oh God, she was just here."

My hands start trembling as I think about my sister walking right into Sayanaa's sights. Sweet, fierce Megan who's already risking everything to help expose Kirsan's operation. Who has no idea there's a monster watching her every move.

And if Sayanaa can find Megan...

"Dad," I choke out, gripping Vadim's arm. "Freddy. If she knows about Megan, she'll find them too." The thought of Sayanaagetting anywhere near my family makes my blood run cold. "They don't know what she's capable of. They won't see her coming."

Images flash through my mind—Dad sitting helpless in his favorite chair, unable to speak or defend himself. Freddy, for all his faults, completely unprepared for someone like Sayanaa.

My family might be dysfunctional, but they're still my family. And now they're in danger because of me.

"We have to bring them here," I say, my voice steadier than I expect. "Dad and Freddy. They need to be somewhere safe."

Vadim nods, already reaching for his phone. "I'll send men right now?—"

"No." I grab his wrist. "I need to go get them myself."

His eyes narrow. "Absolutely not. You saw Sayanaa's threat."

"Dad won't just let your men take him," I explain. "And Freddy..." I let out a bitter laugh. "Freddy would sooner pull a gun than listen to reason. Especially with all of his gambling debts…"

"Then I'll go myself," Vadim counters. "I can bring Megan?—"

"No!" The word comes out sharper than I intend. "I won't put my sister in danger. Not when Sayanaa might already know about her."

"And I won't put you or our child at risk." Vadim's hand covers mine where it still rests protectively over my stomach.

"They'remyfamily," I whisper. "Dad won't understand unless I'm there to explain. And Freddy... for all his faults, he's still my brother. I need to be the one to tell them."

"Zvyozdochka..." Vadim's voice holds a warning.

"Please." I meet his eyes. "You can bring as many men as you want. But it has to be me that does this."

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